Konyak Union warns factions over extortion, armed movement in Mon district

DIMAPUR — Taking exception to what it described as rising disturbances and illegal activities in Mon district, the Konyak Union (KU) has issued a warning to individuals, groups and factions allegedly involved in extortion, forceful demands and intimidation of public and business community.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the KU said that it had received numerous complaints from residents and traders regarding “ever-mounting disturbances and illegal extortions” affecting businesses, suppliers and transporters ferrying goods from Assam into Mon.

The union also cited reports of forceful demands placed on village councils, including financial contributions, livestock, and percentage cuts from contractors executing government projects.

The KU cautioned that such practices not only undermine public welfare by compromising quality but also inflict lasting damage on the district’s economic growth.

It warned that if the activities continue, the union would initiate “astringent action” and publicly disclose the identities of those involved.

Also read: Konyak Union issues directives to armed factions in Mon district

Reiterating its earlier directives, the KU called on all factions to stop “loitering” around armed or in uniform within Mon district, stating that such acts generate fear and insecurity among citizens.

The union urged the leaders of all factions to issue strict instructions to their members to exercise restraint and desist from “unwanted activities” immediately.

Such conduct, it stated, has become “detrimental in nature, hampering economic growth and entrepreneurship in the region,” and is no longer tolerable to the public.

Expressing hope that collective Naga leaders share a common vision of peace and development, the KU lamented that factional activities have overshadowed progress in Mon district, likening the impact to “parasites that pull the nerves and bite the flesh of the people.”

Further, the KU affirmed its support to law-enforcement agencies, endorsing police and security forces to take necessary action and book offenders in accordance with the law of the land.